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Pocock avoids conviction

Date published: February 4 2015

Brumbies and Australia back-rower David Pocock will face no conviction for his role in a November protest against a coalmine in a state forest.

A New South Wales court made the decision on Wednesday as flank Pocock appeared in the Gunnedah Local Court facing three charges, including entering enclosed land without lawful excuse and hindering the working of mining equipment after chaining himself to a digger during the protest against the Maules Creek coalmine in the Leard State Forest.

After Pocock agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of hindering a workman in use of property, those charges were withdrawn and the remaining charge was dismissed without conviction.

The sentencing magistrate said a conviction would be “disastrous” for Pocock who has played 46 rugby tests for Australia.